Chapter Text
It had been several years since they last crossed paths. Mihawk sailed the tranquil waters of the Grand Line, keeping to himself as always but occasionally seeking out a worthy challenge. Though few still lived who could challenge him, one man remained who could pique his interest for a rematch.
After receiving news that a young rookie by the name of Monkey D. Luffy had taken down the Arlong pirates and claimed a hefty bounty in the process, Mihawk's curiosity was stirred. This was the first rookie in some time to draw such early attention from the World Government. And given the boy's lineage, there was potential there for great things.
Mihawk set course for the Red Force. It did not take long to locate the vessel and its carefree captain. Upon boarding, Mihawk was greeted by Shanks' eager crew, who had long grown accustomed to the Warlord's sudden visits.
"Mihawk, it's been too long!" Shanks grinned, stepping forward to exchange a friendly handshake with his rival. "What brings you out here?"
Silent as ever, Mihawk produced a worn bounty poster from within his surcoat. Luffy's smiling face stared back at them, his 30 million berry bounty declared. Shanks took the paper curiously, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of his old friend's son.
"Luffy?" He laughed heartily, thoroughly impressed. "So he finally came, huh? You came all this way just to show me this?"
Mihawk said nothing in reply, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Shanks had always been easy to read.
"Stay and have a drink! Let's catch up and celebrate his first bounty!"
And so began a lively celebration aboard the Red Force. Shanks was quickly several bottles deep, talking non-stop about this Luffy boy.
As dusk fell and the party began to wind down, Shanks swayed more noticeably in his seat, eyes half-lidded and cheeks flushed red. Mihawk watched him quietly from across the table, nursing his own drink at a far more cautious pace than the rest.
"You never could hold your liquor, Red-Haired." Mihawk observed with a touch of amusement.
Shanks blinked blearily up at him, as if only just registering his presence after becoming lost in reminiscing. A dopey grin spread across his bearded face. "And you...you never know when to let loose and have fun, Hawkeye."
He leaned forward suddenly, draping an arm around Mihawk's shoulders and causing the man to stiffen in surprise at the contact. Shanks gazed at him with unfocused fondness, their faces mere inches apart.
"You know, for all your talent...you're still missing out on the best parts of living. Come sail with us for real, just you and I. Let's find the dawn together again."
Mihawk frowned, discomforted by Shanks' uncharacteristically intimate behavior yet unable to bring himself to shrug the man off so callously. Before he could respond, Shanks slumped against him entirely with a snore, fast asleep. The Warlord glanced around to find the crew had tactfully slipped away, leaving the two former rivals alone.
With a sigh, Mihawk made no attempt to move Shanks, content to remain where he was for the time being. It had been a long time, but Mihawk found he still understood what drew people to follow this man.
It was well past midnight, Mihawk approached Shanks cautiously, a small frown creasing his brow.
Shanks blinked up at him, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Mihawk... you're still here."
"Where else would I be?" Mihawk replied, the corners of his lips quirking upwards in a rare show of fondness.
Shanks chuckled, his gaze fixed intently on Mihawk's face. "I'm glad you're here," he murmured, his voice low and sincere.
Mihawk felt a flutter in his chest at the other man's words, and for a moment, he was tempted to reach out and brush a stray lock of hair from Shanks' face. But he quickly quashed the impulse, reminding himself that Shanks was inebriated and likely not in full control of his faculties.
And perhaps, somewhere buried deep, a part of him understood Shanks' drunken invitation as well. For now, this was enough. Dawn would come, as it always did, and with it a new day.